Tranquil Morning Market in Kon Jo Dri Village
Nestled along the gentle Dak Bla River on the outskirts of Kon Tum City, Kon Jo Dri stands out as one of the oldest, most beautiful, and relatively untouched Ba Na villages in the Central Highlands of Vietnam today. Once a month, the residents of Kon Jo Dri gather for a lively morning market in front of the picturesque communal house.
The market in Kon Jo Dri is particularly fascinating because it serves not only as a hub for buying and selling but also as a time for the community to come together, sharing stories and engaging in cheerful conversations. While adults engage in transactions, children have the opportunity to play, and local authorities use the occasion to address the needs of the villagers.
A Mim, a Ba Na community member and the Secretary of the Dak Ro Woa Commune, mentioned that the market convenes just once a month, coinciding with the morning when the electricity department collects the monthly electric bills. On these days, the villagers gather at the communal house to settle their bills, and local traders take advantage of the crowd, bringing various goods such as clothing, shoes, utensils and toys for the children, turning the spacious area around the communal house into a vibrant and colorful small market.
The market lasts only a few hours, starting early in the morning and dispersing around 9am. Villagers take advantage of the opportunity to buy what they need while paying their electricity bills. Children eagerly follow their mothers to the market, treating it as a festive occasion. The most enjoyable aspect is perhaps the scene of everyone gathering to chat and catch up, discussing various topics ranging from everyday life, livestock, and crops to the arrival of journalists from afar, turning the market into a lively and bustling social event.
Another interesting aspect is the presence of local officials during the market. They attend not for buying or selling but to inquire about the community's well-being and address any issues that may arise on the spot.
On that day, I followed A Mim with curiosity. He strolled around the market, asking familiar faces whether they had obtained their citizen identification cards. For those who hadn't, he recorded the information in a notebook, providing guidance on the process. A Mim's simple and approachable work style was both intriguing and effective, as it not only served the villagers but also expedited the completion of his assigned tasks.
After a while, as the market gradually dispersed, vendors packed up their goods, preparing for the next monthly market. Some villagers headed home, while others lingered to continue their discussions. The scene unfolded naturally and peacefully, reflecting the harmonious way of life that has endured for generations in Kon Jo Dri, along the banks of the Dak Bla River, which never ceases to flow./.
- By Thanh Hoa/VNP Translated by Hong Hanh